Meaning of mean business | Babel Free

Definitions

To be serious, especially where achieving a specific end against opposition is concerned.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Say in a week from now, I will undertake to deliver this most marvellous masterpiece, if 'Look here, 'Tony, I mean business, if you don't.”

“Lorena Bobbit only did what men do to each other all the time: She showed an asshole she meant business.”

“He projects his concern to all employees and he means business when he says the “buck stops here”.”

CEFR level